Summer 2023 Workshop: Bitty Boro Needle Book Coming in August!

Bitty Boro Needle Books in Traditional Indigo.

Having just finished a rockin' Spring that featured my Creative Trapunto class and two different Mandalas workshops, I'll be taking a break the rest of June through July. Of course, I'll be focusing on some of my own stitched work and also gearing up for the next workshop in August...my Bitty Boro Needle Book! 

Registration for the Bitty Boro Needle Book starts on Monday, June 19. 

Email me at threadborn@gmail.com to register!

Needle Books showing decorative bindings.

In this two 2-hour session workshop, you'll create a sweet 3" square needle book to hold your favorite needles. Decorate the cover with Boro-style patchwork and Sashiko-style stitch patterns using Running stitch. The inside pages are made of soft wool blend felt. Learn how to bind your book with beads and stitch and create a decorative button and loop closure. The small size makes it great for travel...just throw it in with your stitching project and go!

Inside pages of soft wool blend felt to hold your needles.

I'm offering three class sections. There needs to be a minimum of 4 students for the workshop to run. I'm trying to keep the class size to 10 but am willing to add a few extra participants.

Tuition is $55.

All class times are Eastern Daylight Time. If it's easier...check the time in Washington, DC.

Tuesday, August 8 & 15: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (this class section usually fills quickly!)

Wednesday, August 9 & 16: 7:00-9:00 PM

Sunday, August 13 & 20: 3:00-5:00 PM

All workshop sessions are recorded and the recordings remain available to students through the end of October 2023.

Please contact me at: threadborn@gmail.com to receive the supply list for this workshop.

Two needle books in soft blues.

I'm offering an optional $20 kit that contains all the materials needed (except thread) to create one needle book. The kit includes a wool felt base for your cover, (2) wool blend felt pages, assorted fabric scraps, lining fabric, tulle, a choice of 2 buttons, beads and (2) crewel embroidery needles (#5 and #3).

To order a kit please contact me at: threadborn@gmail.com. I have a flyer that describes color palette options. PLEASE NOTE: ALL KIT ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JULY 5!!

A pretty pastel needle book!

Hope you'll join me in August to stitch this fun and practical project!-- Julie

Registration for the Bitty Boro Needle Book starts on June 19!

 

Boro-Style Fun in June & July: Online Workshops with Julie

 

Boro-style Bag Project (large bag).

Update May 26, 2022: Here are the June and July workshops that are running. Please read project descriptions below for more information. If you'd like to register, you can contact me at: Threadborn@gmail.com. Cost of each workshop is $65.

June 15 & 22 (6:30-9): Boro-Style Bag

June 18 (1 PM-6:30 PM includes half hour lunch break): Boro-Style Bag

July 6 & 7 (10 AM-12:30 PM): Boro-Style Bag

July 26 & 27 (6:30-9 PM) Itty Bitty Boro Book

Looking for some creative projects to keep you busy and stitching over the summer? I hope that you'll join me on Zoom in June and/or July for a choice of two Boro-style stitching projects: My popular Itty Bitty Boro Book and for the first time on Zoom...my Boro-Style Bag. With both projects you'll enjoy the meditative flow of the Running stitch, build patterns from intersecting stitching and beautiful textural surfaces while creating something special for yourself or to share.

Working on the closure for the Itty Bitty Boro Book.

Large Boro-Style Bag in Traditional Indigos

Kits

This time I'll be offering optional project kits. You can choose between a Bare Bones option where you will supply your own fabric scraps or a Full Kit option where I supply you with everything except for thread. Contact me for color palettes. Kits must be ordered at least two weeks before the class is scheduled. 

Email me at threadborn@gmail.com for more particulars such as how to pay, supply lists and handouts.

The workshops will be recorded and students will have access to the recording for a month.

ITTY BITTY BORO BOOK

Itty Bitty Boro Books

Design a small format (3"square), accordion-style cloth book using special fabric scraps from your own collection (or select a kit option). Arrange your scraps on wool felt square pages and embellish with Sashiko-style Running stitch patterns for a beautiful and rustic 2-sided book.

Two kit options: Bare Bones: Wool felt squares, ribbon, and #3 needle $10 plus shipping. Full Kit: Bare Bones plus assorted fabric scraps, painted cheesecloth and 2 buttons for closures $20 plus shipping.

One of two sides of the book.

BORO-STYLE BAG

Two of the small size bags.

Design a beautiful hand-stitched Boro-style bag from special fabric scraps. Enhance your bag with patterns and details using variations of the Running stitch. Add a closure and lining. Learn a twining technique for creating trim and a strap.

Kit comes in two sizes: Small (3.5" x 14.5") and Large (4.5"-5" x 18" cellphone size). Bare Bones: Wool felt base, tulle, button, #3 needle. Small $10, Large $12 plus shipping. Full kit: Bare Bones plus fabric scraps, lining fabric, yarns for trim and strap. Small $25, Large $35 plus shipping.

Large Boro Bag in Earthy tones.

Thanks and hope to see you in class!-- Julie

Get Ready for Julie's Winter Workshops and Classes 2021!

Creating the loop closure for the Itty Bitty Boro Book

Sign-ups for my Winter workshops and classes are already starting! Hope you'll consider taking part in one of the following scheduled workshops or a multi-session class at The Art League School. Stretch yourself with a one day hand stitching project or take a leap into a more in-depth course on either dimensional stitching using nature as your muse or creating memory-inspired stitched works using words. All workshops and classes are online (Zoom) and are recorded.

One day workshops (5.5 hours including a half hour break) are $65 and some have a kit option. Class size is limited so if you are interested, please contact me asap. Leave a comment here or email me (threadborn@gmail).

Here is the updated schedule through April. Read the descriptions below for more information:

Workshops

January 9 (1:00-6:30 PM EST) Stitch Mandalas

January 23 (1:00 - 6:30 PM EST) Fabric Stash Cloth Book

February 20 (1:00-6:30 EST) Itty Bitty Boro Book

March 6 (10:00 AM - 3:30 PM EST) Talisman Pouch

NEW WORKSHOP! April 3 (1:00-5:15 PM EDST) Bitty Boro Needlebook ($50)

April 17 (1:00-6:30 PM EDST) Talisman Pouch

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Classes at The Art League School (please click on the highlighted class for information and registration)

Hand Stitching Continued: Dimensional Stitches and Fabric Manipulation: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST) Tuition: $160. Optional Kit: $15

Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 (7:00-9:00 PM EST) Tuition: $150. Optional Kit: $15

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STITCH MANDALAS

A selection of Stitch Mandala samplers

Hand stitching can be a meditative practice. Mandala, which means circle in the ancient language of Sanskrit, is a form often used in meditation to center and focus one's attention. In this workshop, students spend the day in meditative stitching, creating a series of Stitch Mandalas. Julie will teach variations of a select number of basic embroidery stitches that can be worked within a circular format with beautiful results. Stitches covered will include variations of: Running, Blanket/Buttonhole, Straight and Couching stitches and needle woven Spider's Webs. Students will create a series of samplers featuring their Stitch Mandalas.

FABRIC STASH CLOTH BOOK

Fabric Stash Cloth Books showing multi-layered covers.

This project was originally inspired by a small swatch book of Japanese fabrics. Different-sized swatches made for interesting combinations of pattern and color. Create your own version showcasing treasures from your own fabric collection or insert cloth pages for future hand stitching and collaging. The book cover features a textural layered variation of reverse applique with the option of adding a Trapunto (stuffed) element. Complete your book with a stab stitch binding. Cover kit available in selected colors for an additional $15 plus shipping.

A sample showing different fabric treasures.

ITTY BITTY BORO BOOK

Stitch Boro-style collages on your itty bitty pages.

Design a small format (3" square), accordion-style cloth book using special fabric scraps from your own collection (or select the kit option). Arrange your scraps on wool felt squares and embellish with Sashiko-style Running stitch patterns for a beautiful and rustic book. Two kit options available: Bare bones: wool felt squares and ribbon $10 plus shipping. Full kit: Bare bones plus assorted fabric scraps, cheesecloth and 2 buttons for closures $20 plus shipping.

TALISMAN POUCH

Assorted Talisman Pouches

Design a beautiful hand-stitched pouch to hold a special object (a beach stone, crystal or other talisman). Combine layers of fabric, cheesecloth, silk sari ribbon, yarns and tulle with hand stitching to create a rich, tactile art object. Add a shell embellishment and a bead closure for finishing touches. Kit available in select colors includes everything (except thread) $20 plus shipping.

NEW WORKSHOP!

BITTY BORO NEEDLEBOOK

Create a sweet Bitty Needlebook to hold your favorite needles. This one can easily slip in with your stitching projects. Decorate with Sashiko-style stitch patterns, bind with beads and add a decorative closure. This is a new workshop that folks have been urging me to teach every since I started making them to sell. They are just lovely to hold in your hand! Kit includes all materials (except thread). $15 plus shipping.

I look forward to stitching with you in 2021!-- Julie